Jacob Butterfield has witnessed what it takes to climb out of relegation trouble.
The St Johnstone midfielder was part of a Luton Town squad that battled to English Championship safety in the 2019/20 season.
On that occasion, Luton completed the great escape but Butterfield is planning on a quick rise up the table with Saints.
And three points against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Tuesday evening would certainly get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Saints are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership and sit two points back of 11th-placed Dundee, seven adrift of Ross County in 10th.
Butterfield said: “At Luton we were at the bottom end and ended up staying up on the last day of the season.
“We were strong favourites to go down with 11 or 12 games to go but put together a fantastic run. That came out of team spirit and hard work.
“If you’ve got a really good group of lads who believe in each other things can galvanise. We’ve definitely got the players here to get the results we need.
“This is another tight-knit squad, like we had at Luton.
“Everyone gets on really well. Having players who have been at a club a long time, which we have, and know the club and the league inside out always helps at times like this as well.
“And the new players bring freshness, enthusiasm and different qualities. It’s a good mix.”
Butterfield insists there is plenty of time to turn things around.
“We’ve still got loads of football left to play,” he said. “We will have plenty of opportunities to get the wins we need.
“We have had meetings individually and collectively about how we can turn things around. Everyone wants to step forward and take ownership.
“I have had a fairly long career to this point, playing a lot of football – and it is definitely different up here to anywhere I have played before. It is very fast paced, full on.
“But I am getting used to it now and figuring out how I can be most effective here and doing the best job for the team.
“Match fitness and sharpness comes with games. I feel I am getting into my rhythm now.
“I am feeling good physically and ready to take responsibility, like everyone else in the team.”
While a newcomer himself, Butterfield has been impressed by the standard of Callum Davidson’s latest recruits.
He said: “They are all comfortable in possession and willing to accept the ball. They all have that in common.
“The manager has recruited very well. New faces always help. They bring freshness and new enthusiasm.
“The feeling is good around the place. We feel optimistic about the games coming up. We will be doing everything we can to turn things around.”
